Rechargeable universal remote control assembly

ABSTRACT

A rechargeable universal remote control assembly for providing a multi-function multipurpose remote control with a base charger, remote control finder, and other functional features includes a remote control and a base unit. The remote control is recharged using the base unit. The base unit also includes a button operationally coupled to a transmitter for sending a locate signal to the remote control. The remote control includes a receiver for receiving the locate signal. In response to the locate signal, the remote control provides audio and visual signals to assist a user in finding the remote control unit. The remote control has capability to operate multiple devices including TVs, VCRs, satellite receivers, audio and visual receivers, stereo equipment, and the like.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to universal remote controls and moreparticularly pertains to a new rechargeable universal remote controlassembly for providing a multifunction multipurpose remote control witha base charger, remote control finder, and other functional features.

2. Description of the Prior Art

The use of universal remote controls is known in the prior art. U.S.Pat. No. 4,718,112 describes a remote control apparatus for programminga series of control commands for use at a later time. Another type ofuniversal remote controls is U.S. Pat. No. 5,953,144 having a ROM-lessmicroprocessor system. U.S. Pat. No. 5,790,021 discloses a remotecontrol having a base unit and a remote control finder. U.S. Pat. No.3,582,783 discloses a multiple function remote control unit. U.S. Pat.No. 5,412,377 also discloses a remote control unit that has a schedulingfunction. U.S. Patent No. Des. 435,544 shows an ornamental design for auniversal remote control.

While these devices fulfill their respective, particular objectives andrequirements, the need remains for a remote control system that willprovide commands for multiple and various devices in combination with abase unit for recharging the remote control, a remote control findingfunction, and wherein the remote control has a light for outlining thehousing of the remote control.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention meets the needs presented above by generallycomprising a remote control and a base unit. The remote control isrecharged using the base unit. The base unit also includes a buttonoperationally coupled to a transmitter for sending a locate signal tothe remote control. The remote control includes a receiver for receivingthe locate signal. In response to the locate signal, the remote controlprovides audio and visual signals to assist a user in finding the remotecontrol unit. The remote control has capability to operate multipledevices including TVs, VCRs, satellite receivers, audio and visualreceivers, stereo equipment, and the like.

There has thus been outlined, rather broadly, the more importantfeatures of the invention in order that the detailed description thereofthat follows may be better understood, and in order that the presentcontribution to the art may be better appreciated. There are additionalfeatures of the invention that will be described hereinafter and whichwill form the subject matter of the claims appended hereto.

The objects of the invention, along with the various features of noveltywhich characterize the invention, are pointed out with particularity inthe claims annexed to and forming a part of this disclosure.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention will be better understood and objects other than those setforth above will become apparent when consideration is given to thefollowing detailed description thereof. Such description makes referenceto the annexed drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a new rechargeable universal remotecontrol assembly according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the base unit of the presentinvention.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the base unit of the presentinvention taken along line 3-3 in FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the remote unit of the presentinvention.

FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram view of the base unit of the presentinvention.

FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram view of the remote unit of the presentinvention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

With reference now to the drawings, and in particular to FIGS. 1 through6 thereof, a new rechargeable universal remote control assemblyembodying the principles and concepts of the present invention andgenerally designated by the reference numeral 10 will be described.

As best illustrated in FIGS. 1 through 6, the rechargeable universalremote control assembly 10 generally comprises a base unit 20 having acharging port 22 and a remote control unit 30 having a battery 32. Theremote control unit 30 is positionable on the base unit 20 such that theremote control unit 30 operationally engages the charging port 22. Thus,the base unit 20 charges the battery 32 of the remote control unit 30.

A transmitter 24 is positioned in the base unit 20 for transmitting alocate signal. A receiver 34 is positioned in the remote control unit 30for receiving the locate signal from the transmitter 24.

A microprocessor 36 is positioned in the remote control unit 30. Thereceiver 34 is operationally coupled to the microprocessor 36. A speaker38 is operationally coupled to the microprocessor 36 for producing anaudio signal from the remote control unit 30 when the receiver 34receives the locate signal from the transmitter 24.

A light source 40 is operationally coupled to the microprocessor 36 forilluminating when the receiver 34 receives the locate signal from thetransmitter 24. The light source 40 is a tubular light extending arounda perimeter 31 of the remote control unit 30.

An infrared transmitter 42 is operationally coupled to themicroprocessor 36 for sending operational commands from the remotecontrol unit 30 based on use of a plurality of operational keys 44. Eachof the operational keys 44 is operationally coupled to themicroprocessor 36 for sending a selectable operational command from theremote control unit 30 using the operational keys 44. The operationalkeys are configured into groups for controlling particular devicesincluding TV, VCR, DVD, stereo and video receivers, satellite receivers,and audio equipment. The remote control unit may further includeoperational keys and programs to operate other household devices such asceiling fans or appliances remotely using the remote control unit 30.

A plurality of indicator lights 46 are positioned on the base unit 20.One of the indicator lights is a positive charging light 48. Thepositive charging light 48 illuminates when the remote control unit 30engages the charging port 22 of the base unit 20 to successfully chargethe battery 32 of the remote control unit 30. A second one of theindicator lights is a negative charging light 50. The negative charginglight 50 illuminates when the remote control unit 30 is disengaged fromthe charging port 22 of the base unit 20.

The remote control unit 30 has a plurality of battery charge indicators52 operationally coupled to the battery 32 for indicating a charge levelof the battery 32. In an embodiment, the battery charge indicators 52are aligned next to each other and illuminate in sequence such that anumber of illuminated battery charge indicators indicates a degree towhich the battery 32 is charged.

The remote control unit 30 has a housing 33 having a bulbous forwardportion 35, a neck portion 37, and a rear portion 39. The base unit 20has a depression 25 for receiving the remote control unit 30. Thedepression 25 has a complementary shape to the remote control unit 30 toprevent movement of the remote control unit 30 within the depression 25.

In use, the remote control unit is placed into the depression of thebase unit to charge the remote control unit. The remote control unit isused in similar fashion to existing remote controls to operate a varietyof devices. When removed from the base unit, the remote control unit canbe located easily by pressing a button on the base unit. In response tothe button on the base unit being pressed, the remote control unitprovides an audio signal via a speaker and a visual signal via the lightsource extending around the perimeter of the remote control unit.

With respect to the above description then, it is to be realized thatthe optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the invention, toinclude variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and mannerof operation, assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and obviousto one skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to thoseillustrated in the drawings and described in the specification areintended to he encompassed by the present invention.

Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of theprinciples of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications andchanges will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is notdesired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operationshown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications andequivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of theinvention.

1. A universal remote control and remote control finding systemcomprising: a base unit having a charging port; a remote control unithaving a battery, said remote control unit being positionable on saidbase unit such that said remote control unit operationally engages saidcharging port whereby said base unit charges said battery of said remotecontrol unit; a transmitter positioned in said base unit fortransmitting a locate signal; a receiver positioned in said remotecontrol unit for receiving said locate signal from said transmitter; amicroprocessor positioned in said remote control unit, said receiverbeing operationally coupled to said microprocessor; a speakeroperationally coupled to said microprocessor for producing an audiosignal from said remote control unit when said receiver receives saidlocate signal from said transmitter; a light source operationallycoupled to said microprocessor for illuminating when said receiverreceivers receives said locate signal from said transmitter; and whereinsaid light source is a tubular light extending around a perimeter ofsaid remote control unit to illuminate an area around said remotecontrol unit.
 2. The universal remote control and remote control findingsystem of claim 1, further comprising: an infrared transmitteroperationally coupled to said microprocessor for sending operationalcommands from said remote control.
 3. The universal remote control andremote control finding system of claim 1, further comprising: aplurality of indicator lights on said base unit, one of said pluralityof indicator lights being a positive charging light, said charging lightilluminating when said remote control unit engages said charging port ofsaid base unit to successfully charge said battery of said remotecontrol unit.
 4. The universal remote control and remote control findingsystem of claim 3 wherein a second one of said plurality of indicatorlights is a negative charging light, said negative charging lightilluminating when said remote control unit is disengaged from saidcharging port of said base unit.
 5. The universal remote control andremote control finding system of claim 1, further comprising: saidremote control unit including a plurality of operational keys, each ofsaid operational keys being operationally coupled to said microprocessorfor sending a selectable operational command from said remote controlusing said operational keys.
 6. The universal remote control and remotecontrol finding system of claim 1, further comprising: said remotecontrol unit having a plurality of battery charge indicatorsoperationally coupled to said battery for indicating a charge level ofsaid battery.
 7. The universal remote control and remote control findingsystem of claim 6, further comprising: said plurality of battery chargeindicators being aligned next to each other and illuminating in sequencesuch that a number of illuminated battery charge indicators indicates adegree to which said battery is charged.
 8. The universal remote controland remote control finding system of claim 1, further comprising: saidremote control unit having a housing, said housing having a bulbousforward portion, a neck portion, and a rear portion; and said base unithaving a depression for receiving said remote control unit, saiddepression having a complementary shape to said remote control unit toprevent movement of said remote control unit within said depression andto insure proper alignment of said remote control unit in saiddepression of said base unit for proper charging of said battery of saidremote control unit.
 9. A universal remote control and remote controlfinding system comprising: a base unit having a charging port; a remotecontrol unit having a battery, said remote control unit beingpositionable on said base unit such that said remote control unitoperationally engages said charging port whereby said base unit chargessaid battery of said remote control unit; a transmitter positioned insaid base unit for transmitting a locate signal; a receiver positionedin said remote control unit for receiving said locate signal from saidtransmitter; a microprocessor positioned in said remote control unit,said receiver being operationally coupled to said microprocessor; aspeaker operationally coupled to said microprocessor for producing anaudio signal from said remote control unit when said receiver receivessaid locate signal from said transmitter; a light source operationallycoupled to said microprocessor for illuminating when said receiverreceivers receives said locate signal from said transmitter; whereinsaid light source is a tubular light extending around a perimeter ofsaid remote control unit; an infrared transmitter operationally coupledto said microprocessor for sending operational commands from said remotecontrol; a plurality of indicator lights on said base unit, one of saidplurality of indicator lights being a positive charging light, saidcharging light illuminating when said remote control unit engages saidcharging port of said base unit to successfully charge said battery ofsaid remote control unit; wherein a second one of said plurality ofindicator lights is a negative charging light, said negative charginglight illuminating when said remote control unit is disengaged from saidcharging port of said base unit; said remote control unit including aplurality of operational keys, each of said operational keys beingoperationally coupled to said microprocessor for sending a selectableoperational command from said remote control using said operationalkeys; said remote control unit having a plurality of battery chargeindicators operationally coupled to said battery for indicating a chargelevel of said battery; said plurality of battery charge indicators beingaligned next to each other and illuminating in sequence such to that anumber of illuminated battery charge indicators indicates a degree towhich said battery is charged; said remote control unit having ahousing, said housing having a bulbous forward portion, a neck portion,and a rear portion; and said base unit having a depression for receivingsaid remote control unit, said depression having a complementary shapeto said remote control unit to prevent of said remote control unitwithin said depression.
 10. A rechargeable remote control and remotecontrol finding system comprising: a base unit having a charging port; aremote control unit having a battery, the remote control unit beingpositionable on the base unit such that the remote control unitoperationally engages the charging port whereby the base unit chargesthe battery of the remote control unit; a transmitter positioned in thebase unit for transmitting a locate signal; a receiver positioned in theremote control unit for receiving the locate signal from thetransmitter; and a light source positioned in the remote control unitfor producing a findable visual signal to assist a user in finding theremote control unit when the receiver receives the locate signal fromthe transmitter, the light source being distributed over the remotecontrol unit so as to make the visual signal less likely to be obscured.11. The rechargeable remote control and remote control finding system ofclaim 10, further comprising a speaker for producing a findable audiosignal to assist a user in finding the remote control unit when thereceiver receives the locate signal from the transmitter.
 12. Therechargeable remote control and remote control finding system of claim10, wherein the light source extends around at least a portion of aperimeter of the remote control unit.
 13. The rechargeable remotecontrol and remote control finding system of claim 10 wherein the lightsource is a tubular light.
 14. The rechargeable remote control andremote control finding system of claim 10, wherein the remote controlunit is a universal remote control.
 15. The rechargeable remote controland remote control finding system of claim 10, wherein a microprocessoris positioned in the remote control unit and the receiver isoperationally coupled to the microprocessor.
 16. The rechargeable remotecontrol and remote control finding system of claim 15, wherein aninfrared transmitter is positioned in the remote control and isoperationally coupled to the microprocessor for sending operationalcommands from the remote control.
 17. The rechargeable remote controland remote control finding system of claim 10, wherein the base unitincludes at least one charging indicator light for indicating thecharging status of the unit.
 18. The rechargeable remote control andremote control finding system of claim 17, wherein the at least onecharging indicator light included in the base unit is a positivecharging light, the positive charging light illuminating when the remotecontrol unit engages the charging port of the base unit to successfullycharge the battery of the remote control unit.
 19. The rechargeableremote control and remote control finding system of claim 17, whereinthe at least one charging indicator light included in the base, unit isa negative charging light, the negative charging light illuminating whenthe remote control unit is disengaged from the charging port of the baseunit.
 20. The rechargeable remote control and remote control findingsystem of claim 10, wherein the remote control includes at least onebattery charge indicator that is operationally coupled to the batteryfor indicating them charge level of the battery.
 21. The rechargeableremote control and remote control finding system of claim 10, whereinthe light source is distributed over the remote control unit so as to besubstantially situated at least at two corners of the remote controlunit.